JP2011166921A - Alarm sound generating apparatus for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alarm sound generating apparatus for a vehicle that generates alarm sound indicating a starting state and a traveling state without giving a sense of incongruity to a driver. <P>SOLUTION: The alarm sound generating apparatus for a vehicle is configured to generate a forward-starting alarm sound having a prescribed frequency that allows sound to easily enter from the outside of a vehicle cabin to the inside of the vehicle cabin during a period from the time when a starting intention is detected until before it is detected as being in a traveling state. When detected as being in a traveling state, the alarm sound generating apparatus generates a forward-moving alarm sound having a frequency higher than the prescribed frequency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an alarm sound generating device for a vehicle.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a warning sound generating device that emits a forward warning sound for notifying a person around the vehicle that the vehicle is traveling forward when a stopped vehicle starts forward. Yes. At this time, the volume of the alarm sound is changed between starting and running.

JP 2005-343360 A

Here, since the forward warning sound that is generated while driving continues to be generated for a long time, it is unpreferable for the driver to continue listening, and the forward warning sound is not necessary to be heard by the driver. is there. On the other hand, the warning sound (hereinafter referred to as the “pre-start warning sound”) that is generated at the time of starting is a sound that is generated only for a short time from the start of the start to the start of the start. The pre-start warning preferably allows the driver to confirm that this has been issued. In other words, the previous start warning sound is a sound that the driver wants to hear. However, in the above conventional alarm sound generating device, only the volume of the alarm sound is changed at the time of start and running, and it is discriminated whether or not to let the driver hear only by the sound volume. Setting was difficult.
An object of the present invention is to provide a warning sound generator for a vehicle that can emit a warning sound indicating a starting state and a running state without causing a driver to feel uncomfortable.

  In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle alarm sound generating device of the present invention has a predetermined frequency at which sound is likely to enter the vehicle interior from the outside of the vehicle compartment before the start intention is detected and before it is detected that the vehicle is running. When a previous start warning sound is generated and it is detected that the vehicle is running, a forward warning sound having a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency is generated.

  Therefore, the front start warning sound is easy to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle due to its low frequency range, and the driver in the vehicle interior does not start without increasing the volume (without surprised the surrounding people). Listening to the warning sound (S sound), it can be surely recognized that the warning of the previous start was made. On the other hand, by setting the forward warning sound (D sound) to a relatively high frequency range that is difficult to enter the passenger compartment from outside the vehicle, unnecessary forward warning sound (D sound) is not heard by the driver in the passenger compartment. Thus, the driver will not be uncomfortable with the forward warning sound.

1 is a control system diagram illustrating a control system for an alarm sound source that constitutes an alarm sound generator for a vehicle according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control program of the pre-start warning sound (S sound) which an alarm sound controller performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control program of the forward warning sound (D sound) which an warning sound controller performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control program of the reverse warning sound (R sound) which an alarm sound controller performs. It is a flowchart which shows the warning sound prohibition control program which an warning sound controller performs. It is a flowchart which shows the warning sound increase control program which an warning sound controller performs.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings.
[Example 1]
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a control system diagram illustrating a control system for an alarm sound source that constitutes the alarm sound generator for a vehicle according to the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, as an alarm sound source, a speaker 1 outside the vehicle, which is an alarm sound source for the outside of the vehicle for issuing a warning to pedestrians (pedestrians, two-wheeled vehicles, etc.) who are people around the vehicle, and the driver The vehicle interior speaker 11 is a vehicle interior alarm sound generation source for issuing an alarm toward the vehicle.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle using the alarm sound generation device is an electric vehicle that uses only an electric motor as a power source and runs electric (EV runs) with this motor.
However, the present invention uses an electric motor and an engine as a power source, and has a hybrid mode (EV mode) in which the vehicle travels only by the electric motor and a hybrid mode (HEV mode) in which the vehicle is driven by power from the electric motor and engine. Needless to say, the present invention can be similarly applied to a vehicle or an engine-equipped vehicle using only an engine as a power source.

The speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment is a space in the motor room in the front part of the vehicle that houses a power source unit consisting of an electric motor, a transmission, etc., which is a power source of an electric vehicle, in particular, foreign matter such as muddy water and stones that are spun up by wheels. Install in a space where no foreign matter such as rain, snow or high-pressure car wash water enters,
By utilizing this space as a resonance box for the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment, the alarm sound generator of this embodiment is configured to be non-directional.

[Alarm sound control system]
The vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated and controlled together with the vehicle interior speaker 11 by an alarm sound controller (alarm sound control means) 12 shown in FIG.
For such control, the warning sound controller 12 is selected in accordance with a shift (range selection) operation performed by the driver to command parking and stopping, and the selected range is a parking (P) range and a reverse (R) range. A signal from the range sensor 13 that detects whether the neutral (N) range or the forward (D) range is input.

In addition to the alarm sound controller 12,
A signal from the vehicle speed sensor 14 for detecting the vehicle speed V;
A signal from the brake switch 15 that is turned on when the brake pedal is depressed and turned off when the brake pedal is released and not braked,
A signal from the mute switch 16 that is pressed and commanded to mute the sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment,
A signal from the sound increase switch 17 that is pressed and commanded to increase the sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment,
ON / OFF signal from the ignition switch 18 that enables the power source unit 2 to be driven,
A signal from an obstacle approach distance sensor 19 that detects a distance L between the own vehicle and an obstacle such as another vehicle in the vehicle traveling direction is input.

[Warning sound in the passenger compartment]
In the case of this embodiment, the alarm sound controller 12 in FIG. 1 operates the vehicle interior speaker 11 as follows.
(1) While receiving the R range selection signal from the range sensor 13, an “R range selection alarm sound” (in this embodiment, an intermittent sound) for informing the driver of “selecting the R range” from the vehicle interior speaker 11. The vehicle interior speaker 11 is operated so that a sound is emitted.
(2) While the distance L to the obstacle detected by the obstacle approach distance sensor 19 is less than the set distance, the vehicle interior speaker 11 informs the driver that the vehicle is approaching the obstacle. For example, the vehicle interior speaker 11 is operated so that an “obstacle approach warning sound” is generated by voice.

In addition to these, the alarm sound to be notified to the driver in the passenger compartment includes a “seat belt alarm sound” for alarming that the seat belt is not worn, although not shown.
However, the “seat belt warning sound” may be emitted from the dedicated speaker or buzzer instead of the vehicle interior speaker 11 together with the “obstacle approach warning sound”.

[Warning sound outside the passenger compartment]
Next, the operation control of the outside speaker 1 executed by the alarm sound controller 12 of FIG. 1 will be described below.
In this embodiment, as a warning sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment, a short-time previous start warning sound (S sound) that should be generated for warning prior to the previous start, and a warning sound generated when traveling forward A forward warning sound (D sound) to be generated and a reverse warning sound (R sound) to be generated for warning during reverse traveling are set.

  The preceding start warning sound (S sound) should be a soft sound like a soft phone type “Fore”, and the forward warning sound (D sound) should be similar to the engine sound generated while the engine-equipped vehicle is running. The engine reverse sound (R sound) is the same intermittent sound as the “R range selection alarm sound” generated from the vehicle interior speaker 11 during the R range selection as described above.

By the way, the forward warning sound (D sound) is an engine pseudo sound as described above and continues to be generated over a long period of time, so it is not preferable to listen to this forward warning sound (D sound). The warning sound (D sound) is a sound that does not need to be heard by the driver.
On the other hand, the pre-start warning sound (S sound) is a soft phone-type soft sound that is generated only for a short time from the start of start to the start of start. However, since it is preferable for the driver to confirm that the previous start alarm is issued, the previous start alarm sound (S sound) is a sound that the driver wants to hear.

In view of these requirements, in this embodiment, the forward warning sound (D sound) is an engine pseudo sound as described below, and the pre-start warning sound (S sound) is a soft phone type soft sound as described below. Sound.
Here, when considering the sound propagation characteristics between the vehicle interior and exterior of the vehicle, the vehicle is difficult for sound in a relatively high predetermined frequency range (normally 1.5 to 6 KHz, depending on the vehicle) to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle interior. In general, the sound of a relatively low predetermined frequency range (which differs depending on the vehicle, but is usually less than 1.5 KHz) can easily enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle compartment.

  From these facts, in this embodiment, the forward warning sound (D sound) is used as an engine pseudo sound in a relatively high predetermined frequency range (preferably 2 to 4 KHz) that is difficult to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle interior. The warning sound (D sound) is prevented from being heard by the driver in the passenger compartment, thereby preventing the driver from being uncomfortable by the D sound (engine pseudo sound).

  However, if the previous start warning sound (S sound) is also set to the same engine pseudo sound, the driver in the passenger compartment can hear the previous start warning sound (S sound) and recognize that the previous start warning has been issued. In order to do this, it is necessary to make the previous start warning sound (S sound) louder than the horn sound volume, which will surprise pedestrians in the vicinity.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pre-start warning sound (S sound) is a soft phone type with a relatively low predetermined frequency range that is easy to enter the vehicle interior from the outside of the vehicle, specifically, a soft sound such as “Fore”. And
The pre-start warning sound (S sound) defined above is easy to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle due to its low frequency range, without increasing the volume (without surprise the surrounding people) The driver in the passenger compartment can hear the previous start warning sound (S sound) and can surely recognize that the previous start warning has been issued.
The previous start warning sound (S sound) is a soft soft phone type sound and is generated only for a short time from the start of the start to the start of the start, so it is not an unpleasant sound for the driver. Will not make you uncomfortable.

[Previous start warning sound (S sound)]
In controlling the preceding start warning sound (S sound), the warning sound controller 12 of FIG. 1 executes the control program of FIG.

First, in step S11, it is checked whether or not the vehicle is in a stop determination state where the vehicle speed V is less than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs (= 1 km / h) and the vehicle is in a travelable state in which the ignition switch 18 is turned on (travel state detection means). Equivalent).
If the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the vehicle stop determination vehicle speed Vs (= 1Km / h) and it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, or if the vehicle is in an inoperable state with the ignition switch 18 turned OFF, the control is terminated as it is and step S15 is performed. By skipping, no S sound is generated.

If it is determined in step S11 that the vehicle is stopped (V <Vs) and it is determined that the vehicle is ready to travel (ignition switch 18 is ON),
In step S12, it is checked whether or not there has been a range switching operation to the D range in a state where the brake switch 15 is OFF (brake is not activated) (corresponding to a start intention detecting means),
If "Yes", in step S15, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that a soft phone type soft "Fore" sound is generated.

If the determination in step S12 is “No”, the brake switch 15 is switched from ON to OFF in the state where the D range is selected in step S13 (the brake pedal is released from the braking state where the brake pedal is depressed). Checked (corresponding to the start intention detection means)
If "Yes", in step S15, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that a soft phone type soft "Fore" sound is generated.

When the determination in step S13 is “No”, in step S14, switching from the braking state in which the brake pedal is depressed to the non-braking state in which the brake pedal is released is performed simultaneously with the range switching operation to the D range. Check whether the brake switch 15 has been switched from ON to OFF (corresponding to start intention detection means)
If "Yes", in step S15, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that a soft phone type soft "Fore" sound is generated.

If the determination in step S14 is “No”, the control is terminated as it is and step S15 is skipped, so that no S sound is generated.
That is, during a stop (V <Vs) where the vehicle is ready to travel (ignition switch 18 is ON) (step S11),
When there is a range switching operation to the D range in the non-braking state with the brake pedal released (step S12), or
In the D range selection state, when switching from the braking state where the brake pedal is depressed to the non-braking state where the brake pedal is released (step S13), or
When the range switching operation to the D range and the switching from the braking state in which the brake pedal is depressed to the non-braking state in which the brake pedal is released (step S14)
In step S15, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so as to generate the S sound, and otherwise, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is kept in the non-operating state and the S sound is not generated.

In this way, while the vehicle is stopped (step S11),
When there is a shift operation to the D range with the brake pedal released (non-braking) (step S12), or
When D range is selected, when the foot that was depressing the brake pedal is released from the brake pedal (step S13), or
When the shift operation to the D range and the brake release operation to release the foot that was depressing the brake pedal from the brake pedal at the same time (step S14),
In step S15, when the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that an S sound is generated, the S sound is generated immediately before the start of traveling.

Here, if the S sound is generated when the ignition switch 18 is turned on and the vehicle is ready to run, the S sound is generated too early. Sound will be generated unnecessarily, and there will be a problem that an S sound will be generated during this period, and the surrounding pedestrians will be confused while there is a long time to start running.
However, if the S sound is generated after the start of traveling, there is a problem that the meaning of the alarm is weakened because the purpose of generating the S sound for alarming the start of traveling is not met.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the S sound is generated immediately before the start of traveling,
Although there is a long time until the start of running, it is possible to avoid the problem that S sound is generated and the surrounding pedestrians are confused or the meaning of the alarm due to S sound is diminished.

[Forward warning sound (D sound)]
In controlling the forward warning sound (D sound), the warning sound controller 12 of FIG. 1 executes the control program of FIG. 3 to perform the control.
First, in step S21, it is checked whether or not the S sound is generated by the operation of the speaker 1 outside the vehicle.
If the S sound is being generated, it is checked in step S22 whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 500 msec) has elapsed since the generation of the S sound, and the control is terminated until this predetermined time (500 msec) has elapsed. Continue to generate S sound.

When it is determined in step S22 that a predetermined time (500 msec) has elapsed since the generation of the S sound, that is, after the S sound is continuously generated for this predetermined time, the control proceeds to step S23, where the S sound is changed to the D sound. Make a crossfade to.
This crossfade from the S sound to the D sound gradually decreases the volume level of the S sound that is being generated, and gradually increases the volume level of the D sound (pseudo engine sound). The operation state of the speaker 1 outside the passenger compartment is switched so as to gradually switch to S, so that switching from the S sound to the D sound can be performed without causing discomfort to surrounding pedestrians and the like.

In the present embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, the S sound is generated immediately before the start of travel (steps S12 to S15 in FIG. 2).
The S sound is generated at the optimal timing immediately before the start of driving when the start of the vehicle should be warned, and the generation timing of the D sound generated as described above following the S sound is also optimal and the driving is performed. Although there is a long time until the start, it is possible to avoid the problem that the D sound is generated and the surrounding pedestrians are confused or the meaning of the warning of forward running by the D sound is weakened.

If it is determined in step S21 that the vehicle exterior speaker 1 does not generate S sound, it is checked in step S24 whether or not the ignition switch 18 is in an ON-runnable state.
If the vehicle is ready to run, it is checked in step S25 whether the D range is selected.
If it is in the D range selection state, it is checked in step S26 whether or not the vehicle speed V is being determined to be traveling at a vehicle stop determination vehicle speed Vs or higher.
When it is determined in step S24 that the vehicle is ready to travel, in step S25 it is determined that the vehicle is in the D range selection state, and in step S26 it is determined that the vehicle is traveling (V ≧ Vs), a sound D (engine pseudo sound) is generated in step S27. The outside speaker 1 is operated.

The sound D is an engine pseudo sound as described above, but the frequency is kept within a relatively high predetermined high frequency range where it is difficult to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle compartment at a high vehicle speed while keeping the volume level constant. The frequency is determined to be higher. In the first embodiment, the relationship between the vehicle speed and the frequency is a linear relationship, but it may be increased exponentially with a downward convexity or an upward convexity characteristic. At this time, only the frequency is changed without changing the volume level.
In this way, when the D sound is an engine pseudo sound whose volume level is constant and whose frequency is higher at higher vehicle speeds,
For people outside the vehicle, the distance to the vehicle can be determined from the volume of the D sound (the louder the D sound, the closer the vehicle is: the volume output from the vehicle is constant; The sound pressure perceived by different people is different, and people outside the vehicle can grasp the distance to the vehicle by the difference in sound pressure), and the vehicle speed can be judged from the level of the D sound (the higher the D sound, the higher the vehicle speed It is possible to know how fast and how close the vehicle is from only the D sound.

In the next step S28, it is checked whether or not the vehicle speed V after the start has reached the D sound unnecessary vehicle speed lower limit (D sound fade-out vehicle speed) of 30 km / h or more, and the determination in step S28 is “No” In step S29, whether or not the vehicle speed V is lower than the D-sound fade-in vehicle speed of 25 Km / h, which is lower than the D-sound unnecessary vehicle speed lower limit (D-sound fade-out vehicle speed) by 30 Km / h by hysteresis (5 Km / h). To check.
When it is determined in step S28 that the vehicle speed V after starting has reached the D sound unnecessary lower vehicle speed lower limit (D sound fade-out vehicle speed) of 30 Km / h or more, in step S31, the D sound generated in step S27 gradually decreases. The vehicle exterior speaker 1 is activated so that it disappears (fades out).

If it is determined in step S29 that the vehicle speed V is less than the D-sound fade-in vehicle speed of 25 km / h, it is checked in step S32 whether or not the D-sound is being generated, and the D-sound is not being generated by executing step S31. If so, in step S33, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the D sound gradually increases from the sound volume level 0 (fades in).
When it is determined in step S32 that the D sound is being generated, the control is terminated as it is, so that the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the D sound is continuously generated.

If it is determined in step S29 that the vehicle speed V is greater than or equal to the D sound fade-in vehicle speed 25Km / h, that is, the vehicle speed V is a D sound unnecessary vehicle speed lower limit (D sound fade-out vehicle speed) 30Km / h, and the D sound fade-in vehicle speed 25Km / h. If the vehicle speed is in the hysteresis range between h and
By ending the control as it is, the operating state of the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is maintained in the current state, and the D sound generation state is maintained in the current state.

If it is determined in step S24 that the ignition switch 18 is in an inoperable state, the sound D is unnecessary, so control proceeds to step S31 and the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the sound D fades out. .
Also, if it is determined that the D range is selected in step S25 and is still in the D range selected state, but it is determined that the vehicle is stopped in step S26, the D sound fades out because the D sound is unnecessary. In this case, the D sound control is particularly performed as follows.
First, in step S34, it is checked whether or not the vehicle speed V = 0 km / h has been stopped for a set time (here, 10 seconds). If the determination result is “Yes”, the control proceeds to step S31. Then, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the D sound fades out. Note that the set time is a time for separating the waiting for a signal from the time of traveling on a congested road. Here, it is preferable that the set time can be changed automatically while measuring the stop time on a congested road or manually by the driver considering the stop time on the congested road.

If it is determined in step S34 that the vehicle speed V is not 0 km / h and the vehicle is stopped, it is determined that the vehicle will not continue for more than the set time (10 seconds).
In step S35 (running continuation intention judging means), it is checked whether or not it is a non-running range of P range or N range.
In step S36, it is checked whether or not the vehicle speed V is less than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs, and if the determination result is “Yes”,
In step S31, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the sound D fades out.

In other words, in step S34, it is determined that the vehicle is not in a stopped state with a vehicle speed V = 0 km / h, and while it is determined that the stopped state does not continue for more than the set time (10 seconds) even when the vehicle is stopped,
When the selected range is the non-traveling range (P, N range) (step S35) and the vehicle speed V is being determined to stop less than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs (step S36), the D sound is unnecessary. D sound is faded out (step S31).

  However, when it is determined in step S35 that the vehicle is not in the non-traveling range (P, N range), or even if it is determined in step S35 that the vehicle is in the non-traveling range (P, N range), the vehicle speed V is determined to be the stop in step S36. During the travel determination that determines that the above is true, the sound D is necessary, and thus the control proceeds to step S27, whereby the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is continuously operated so as to continue generating the sound D.

Even if it is determined that the vehicle is in the non-traveling range (P, N range) in step S35 as described above, the D sound continues to be generated during the traveling determination in which it is determined in step S36 that the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the stoppage determination vehicle speed Vs. If you do so,
If the vehicle is still traveling due to inertia even after switching from the D range to the non-traveling range (P or N range), the D sound will continue to be generated from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment. It is possible to alert the person in the vicinity of the front end with a warning while driving the vehicle.

Also, in this embodiment, it is determined that the D range is selected in step S25, and the D sound is no longer necessary because it is determined that the vehicle is stopped in step S26 although it is still in the D range selected state. Immediately continue to generate D sound without fading out in step S31, and perform D sound fading out in step S31 for the first time when it is determined in step S34 that the vehicle speed V = 0 km / h has been stopped for a set time (10 seconds). So that
In a congested road where the vehicle speed V = 0 km / h does not last for the set time (10 seconds), the D sound is faded out each time the vehicle stops, and the S sound is generated by the S sound control in Fig. 2 (step S15). Annoyance can be avoided.

[Backward alarm sound (R sound)]
In controlling the reverse warning sound (R sound), the warning sound controller 12 of FIG. 1 executes the control program of FIG. 4 to perform the control.
First, in step S41, it is checked whether or not the ignition switch 18 is in an ON-runnable state.
If the vehicle is ready to run, it is checked in step S42 whether the R range is selected.
If the R range is selected, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is actuated so that an R sound is generated in step S43.

That is, when the ignition switch 18 is ON (step S41) and the R range is selected (step S42), an R sound is immediately generated from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 (step S43).
Since the R sound is generated from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 as soon as the R range is selected (step S42 and step S43), as described above, the “R range selection alarm is issued from the vehicle interior speaker 11 during the R range selection. It occurs at the same time as sound.

And as described above, the R sound from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is the same type of vehicle information as the “R range selection alarm sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11, so it is the same intermittent sound as the “R range selection alarm sound”.
When generating the R sound (intermittent sound) from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 in step S43, it is generated in synchronization with the intermittent “R range selection alarm sound” generated from the vehicle interior speaker 11.
Therefore, step S43 constitutes a vehicle interior / exterior intermittent alarm sound synchronizing means in the present invention.

  Note that, on the contrary, the intermittent “R range selection alarm sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 may be synchronized with the R sound (intermediate sound) from the vehicle exterior speaker 1.

In any case, when synchronizing the R sound (intermittent sound) from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 and the intermittent “R range selection alarm sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 as described above,
The R sound from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 that does not need to be heard by the driver is put on the intermittent “R range selection alarm sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 so that it cannot be heard by the driver. This eliminates the annoyance of unnecessary R sounds from 1 being heard by the driver.

In addition, by synchronizing the above R sound (intermittent sound) with the intermittent “R range selection alarm sound”, the R sound (intermittent sound) from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 and the intermittent “R” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 None of the “range selection warning sounds” is generated, and the period during which these are not heard by the driver, that is, the period during which the driver can easily hear other warning sounds becomes longer.
Therefore, the driver can surely hear the other warning sounds, such as the “obstruction approach warning sound” and the “seat belt warning sound”, over the long period of time, and can obtain the corresponding information without fail. Other warning sounds can be recognized quickly by the driver, which is very advantageous for safety.

If it is determined in step S41 that the ignition switch 18 is OFF and the vehicle is in an inoperable state, the reverse travel is impossible and the generation of the R sound is unnecessary.
By terminating the control as it is and skipping step S43, no R sound is generated (the speaker outside the vehicle compartment 1 is deactivated).

If it is determined in step S42 that the R range is not selected, it is checked in step S44 whether the non-traveling range (P or N range) is selected, and the non-traveling range (P or N range) is not selected. When it is determined that the D range is selected, it is not necessary to generate an R sound.
By terminating the control as it is and skipping step S43, no R sound is generated (the speaker outside the vehicle compartment 1 is deactivated).

If it is determined in step S44 that the non-traveling range (P or N range) is selected, it is checked in step S45 whether or not the vehicle speed V is determined to be less than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs.
If it is determined that the vehicle is stopped, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated in step S46 so that the R sound generated in step S43 gradually decreases and disappears (fades out).

However, even if it is determined that the non-traveling range (P or N range) is selected in step S44, it is recognized in step S45 that the vehicle speed V is not being determined to be less than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs (that is, the determination is in progress). Because the vehicle is moving backward even in the non-traveling range (P or N range), the control proceeds to step S47, and the loudspeaker 1 outside the vehicle is continued so that the R sound started to be generated in step S43 continues. Continue to operate.
By doing the above, if the vehicle is still moving backward due to inertia even after switching from the R range to the non-traveling range (P or N range), the R sound will continue to be generated from the outdoor speaker 1. Even in such a case, it is possible to reliably alert a person in the vicinity of the rear end of the vehicle to alert the vehicle while the vehicle is moving backward.

However, the R sound is generated in step S47 when it is determined in step S42 that the R range is not selected. At this time, as is clear from the above description, the “R range selection alarm” is given from the vehicle interior speaker 11. No sound is generated,
It is not necessary to synchronize the R sound from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 and the “R range selection alarm sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 as performed in step S43.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the D sound is generated by the driver while stopping (step S11 in FIG. 2), such as D range selection and brake pedal release (steps S12 to S14 in FIG. 2). After the generation of the S sound in response to (step S15 in the figure), for example, it is generated after a predetermined time (step S22 in FIG. 3) such as 500 msec,
As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the R sound is generated immediately when the R range selection operation by the driver (step S42 in FIG. 4) is performed (step S43 in FIG. 4). The reason is as follows. is there.

In other words, the vehicle is intended to travel forward, and traveling backward is more difficult for the driver than traveling forward,
Pedestrians around the vehicle predict that the vehicle will normally move in the forward direction, and while paying attention to the forward travel, the backward travel is a movement of the vehicle in an unexpected direction. The fact is that they are not paying as much attention as traveling forward.

Therefore, the reverse warning sound (R sound) that should be generated for warning when traveling backward is an alarm sound when driving in an unfamiliar direction of the driver, and in the direction unexpected by pedestrians in the vicinity. Therefore, it is preferable for safety that it is generated as early as possible to call attention to pedestrians in the vicinity.
On the other hand, the forward warning sound (D sound) that should be generated for warning when driving forward is a warning sound when driving in the direction the driver is accustomed to, and expected by pedestrians in the vicinity. This is a warning sound when traveling in the original direction of the vehicle, so the D sound is an engine pseudo sound as described above, and the generation time of the D sound should be as short as possible to ensure the quietness of the vehicle. In combination with this, it is preferable to generate the D sound as late as possible.

In the present embodiment, in view of such a request, as described above, the R sound is not generated immediately when the R range selection operation by the driver (step S42 in FIG. 4) is performed (step S43 in FIG. 4).
As described above, the D sound is a softphone type that responds to the start preparation operation (step S12 to step S14 in FIG. 2) such as D range selection and brake pedal release by the driver when the vehicle is stopped (step S11 in FIG. 2). After the soft S sound is generated (step S15 in the figure), it is generated after a predetermined time (step S22 in FIG. 3) such as 500 msec elapses.
By doing the above, it is possible to generate an alarm sound at the required timing and during the required period both during forward travel and backward travel, and it is annoying to surrounding pedestrians with unnecessary alarm sounds. It will not let you.

[Alarm sound prohibition control]
In late night or residential areas, alarm sounds from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle, such as S, D, and R sounds, can be annoying. In such cases, the driver can turn off the mute switch 16 shown in FIG. Press to issue a warning sound prohibition command.
Here, it is assumed that the mute switch 16 is self-returned when it is not pressed and is maintained in the normal position (OFF position), and is turned on each time it is pressed to issue a warning sound prohibition command.

The alarm sound controller 12 of FIG. 1 executes the control program of FIG. 5 and performs the alarm sound prohibition control as follows when the alarm sound prohibit command is input from the mute switch 16.
In step S51, it is checked whether or not the mute switch 16 is turned on, whether or not the alarm sound prohibition command is present is checked, and control is performed while the mute switch 16 is not turned on (the alarm sound prohibit command is not issued). The process is terminated and the prohibition of the alarm sound is not executed, thereby generating the alarm sound as described above with reference to FIGS.

  When it is determined in step S51 that the mute switch 16 has been turned on (a warning sound prohibition command has been issued), generation of a warning sound is prohibited in step S52. The alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) should not be generated.

  In the next step S53, it is checked whether or not the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the aforementioned D-sound unnecessary vehicle speed lower limit (D-sound fade-out vehicle speed) of 30 Km / h in step S28 in FIG. ", The control is terminated as it is, and the prohibition of alarm sound generation in step S52 is continued.

  When it is determined in step S53 that the vehicle speed V is greater than or equal to the D-sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 Km / h), the control proceeds to step S54, and the control according to FIGS. A warning sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) is generated from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle in the street.

  According to the above alarm sound prohibition control, when the driver presses the mute switch 16 in the middle of the night or when the alarm sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle is annoying (step S51), FIG. Regardless of the control of 4, the alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) can be prohibited from being emitted from the speaker outside the vehicle (step S52). It can be avoided that the person suffers trouble.

By the way, if the driver presses the mute switch 16 and prohibits the generation of the alarm sound, the alarm sound will not be emitted even after traveling to a place where the alarm sound will not be annoying. Don't do that.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle speed V exceeds the D sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 Km / h) (step S53), it is determined that the vehicle has traveled to a place where the alarm sound is not annoying, and the above-described alarm sound generation prohibition is prohibited. By canceling (step S54), an alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) can be generated from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle as controlled by FIGS.

  By doing as described above, it is possible to avoid the above-described problem that the alarm sound is not emitted even after traveling to a place where the alarm sound is not disturbed, and the alarm device is not used as a safety device.

  As in this example, when the vehicle speed V exceeds the D-sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 Km / h), the warning sound prohibition release condition is established, and when this condition is satisfied, the warning sound is not disturbed. When judging that the vehicle has traveled and canceling the prohibition of the alarm sound, the following effects can be obtained.

  In other words, when the warning sound prohibition release condition is the vehicle speed V <D sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 km / h), this low vehicle speed range is the D sound generation vehicle speed region as apparent from the above, so this low vehicle speed Even if you press the mute switch 16 in the area (turn it on) and prohibit the alarm sound, even if the alarm sound is still annoying when you take your finger off the mute switch 16, The prohibition of the warning sound is canceled and the warning sound is generated, which causes a problem of inconvenience surrounding pedestrians and the like.

However, in this embodiment, the alarm sound prohibition cancellation condition is set when the vehicle speed V exceeds the D sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 Km / h), and the prohibition of the alarm sound is canceled when this condition is satisfied. ,
When vehicle speed V is lower than D sound fading out (30Km / h) at low vehicle speed range (D sound generation vehicle speed range) and mute switch 16 is turned on and the finger is released from mute switch 16, the prohibition of warning sound is released To avoid the above problem that an alarm sound is generated and annoying pedestrians in the surrounding area even though the alarm sound is still a nuisance. Can do.

[Alarm sound increase control]
When driving in a noisy (high noise level) area such as around a factory or downtown, the alarm sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle, such as S, D and R sounds, is at the specified volume level. In such a case, the driver presses the sound increase switch 17 in FIG. 1 to issue an alarm sound increase command.
Here, it is assumed that the sound increase switch 17 is self-returned when it is not pressed and is kept in the normal position (OFF position), and is turned ON every time it is pressed to issue an alarm sound increase command.

When the warning sound increase command is input from the sound increase switch 17, the warning sound controller 12 of FIG. 1 executes the control program of FIG. 6 and performs the warning sound increase control as follows.
In step S61, it is checked whether or not the sound increase switch 17 is turned on, the presence or absence of the alarm sound increase command is checked, and while the sound increase switch 17 is not turned on (the alarm sound increase command is not issued), The control is terminated as it is, and the alarm sound is not increased, so that the volume level of the alarm sound generated as described above with reference to FIGS.

  When it is determined in step S61 that the sound increase switch 17 is turned on (alarm sound increase command is issued), the alarm sound is increased in step S62, and the vehicle exterior speaker 1 generated under the control of FIGS. The volume level of the alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) is increased to a sound larger than the specified value.

In the next step S63, it is checked whether or not a certain time (for example, about 1 minute) has elapsed since the sound increase switch 17 was turned on (warning sound increase command is generated), and the determination result here is “No”. In other words, that is, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not yet elapsed from the ON of the sound increase switch 17 (generation of the alarm sound increase command), the control is ended as it is, and the alarm sound in step S62 is Make the increase run continuously.
When it is determined in step S63 that the fixed time has elapsed since the sound increase switch 17 is turned on (generation of an alarm sound increase command), the control is advanced to step S64, and the increase of the alarm sound in step S62 is canceled. The volume level of the alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) from the outside speaker 1 generated under the control of FIGS. 2 to 4 is reduced to a specified value.

  According to the above-mentioned alarm sound increase control, the driver increases the sound when the surrounding pedestrians cannot hear the alarm sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle due to a noisy place such as the factory and downtown. When the switch 17 is pressed (step S61), the alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) emitted from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 under the control of FIGS. 2 to 4 can be increased by increasing the volume level ( In step S62), pedestrians and the like in the vicinity can surely hear the alarm sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle even in a noisy place such as around the factory or downtown.

By the way, if the driver presses the sound-increasing switch 17 to increase the alarm sound, the pedestrians around the area will specify when driving to places where noise is low (low noise level) such as residential areas. You will be bothered by louder alarms.
In particular, in this embodiment, the forward warning sound (D sound) is an engine pseudo sound of a relatively high frequency range that is difficult to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle compartment, and the forward warning sound (D sound) is heard by the driver in the vehicle interior. This makes it easy to forget to return (decrease) the volume level.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the predetermined time has elapsed after the sound increase switch 17 is turned on (generation of the alarm sound increase command) (step S63), the increase in the alarm sound is canceled (step S64). The alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) generated from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 generated under the control of FIGS. 2 to 4 can be lowered so that the volume level becomes a specified level.

  As a result, when the above-mentioned fixed time has passed since the sound-increasing switch 17 is turned on, it is determined that the vehicle has traveled to a quiet place such as a suburban area or a residential area. The alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) will be reduced to the specified volume level, and the increase of the alarm sound due to the ON of the sound increase switch 17 will not continue forever, near the vehicle in a quiet place People who are in the area will not be bothered by loud alarm sounds.

Next, the function and effect of the alarm sound generator of this embodiment will be described.
[S sound generation]
When the stopped vehicle is an engine vehicle that uses only the engine as a power source, a pedestrian in the vicinity of the vehicle can recognize that the vehicle may start forward from the idling sound of the engine. However, in a vehicle having a driving mode that starts with only an electric vehicle or an electric motor as the power source, the pedestrian determines whether there is a possibility that the parked vehicle will start forward due to the quietness of the driving sound. Difficult to do. Therefore, it is necessary to notify a pedestrian or the like that the vehicle being stopped will start forward.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, when “Yes” is determined in step S12, step S13, or step S14 in FIG. 2, that is, the driver's D range selection operation and brake release operation (OFF of the brake switch 15) are performed. When both were completed, S sound was emitted. Normally, when starting the vehicle forward, the driver changes the selected range from the P range to the D range with the brake pedal depressed, then switches from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal, and then depresses the accelerator pedal. That is, by detecting the state where both the D range selection operation and the brake release operation are completed, it is possible to detect the state where the driver's start preparation operation is completed and the accelerator operation is waited, that is, the state immediately before the start of traveling.
Therefore, when both the D range selection operation and the brake release operation are completed, it is possible to notify pedestrians and the like around the vehicle that a stopped vehicle will start in the forward direction by generating an S sound.

[S sound canceling action at unintended start]
In the control program for the pre-start warning sound (S sound) shown in FIG. 2, the brake pedal is not released yet while the driver is slowly returning the brake pedal from the depressed state. Since S is before switching from ON to OFF, S sound generation in step S15 is not executed. By the way, the braking force also decreases due to the brake pedal return operation as described above, and the vehicle may start to move due to, for example, the creep force or the slope of the downhill road. There is a need to alarm.
However, since the vehicle movement start alarm is an alarm after the vehicle starts to move, the D sound that warns the traveling is more appropriate than the S sound that indicates the state immediately before starting. In addition, braking force is applied to the vehicle and it moves slowly, so if it makes an S sound, it gives the surrounding pedestrians the misconception that the vehicle starts vigorously (while accelerating) There is a risk that.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the vehicle starts to move forward by performing a slow return operation of the brake pedal so that no S sound is generated, step S21 in FIG. 3 is controlled. Is advanced to step S24 to step S26, and a D sound is generated in step S27 during travel determination in which it is determined in step S26 that the vehicle speed V is greater than or equal to the stop determination vehicle speed Vs.

  Therefore, when the vehicle starts to move from the stopped state by the driver's brake pedal slow return operation, the S sound is canceled and the D sound is generated. It is possible to reliably warn with a D sound for driving warning that is more appropriate than the S sound. In addition, since the S sound that is normally emitted immediately before starting is not generated, it is possible to make a pedestrian in the vicinity recognize that the vehicle is moving slowly.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the S sound is an alarm sound in a relatively low predetermined frequency range that is easy to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle interior.
If the driver misunderstood that the S sound was generated during the gentle brake pedal return operation as described above, the driver would have recognized that the person in the vicinity of the vehicle was starting to drive by the S sound. Since driving with recognition, it is not preferable for safe driving.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, as described above, the S sound is an alarm sound in a relatively low predetermined frequency range that is easy to enter the vehicle interior from the outside of the vehicle interior, and the driver can hear the S sound reliably, Since it can be surely recognized that the start warning has been made, it can be surely recognized that no S sound has been generated during the above-described gentle brake pedal return operation.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the driver does not mistake that the S sound is generated during the gentle brake pedal return operation, and the driver recognizes the start of driving because the person near the vehicle has not heard the S sound. Recognizing that this is not the case, it is possible to strive for safe driving, which is very advantageous for safe driving.

The alarm sound generator of the present embodiment has the following effects.
(1) A start intention detection unit that detects a driver's start intention, a travel state detection unit that detects whether or not the vehicle is traveling, and a start intention detection unit that detects a start intention, and a travel state detection unit that travels When the vehicle is not detected as being in the vehicle, it emits a pre-start warning sound with a predetermined frequency at which sound is likely to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle compartment. A forward warning sound was issued. Therefore, the front start warning sound (S sound) is easy to enter the passenger compartment from outside the vehicle due to its low frequency range, and without driving to a loud volume (without surprise the surrounding people) The person can hear the previous start warning sound (S sound) and can surely recognize that the previous start warning has been made. On the other hand, by setting the forward warning sound (D sound) to a relatively high frequency range that is difficult to enter the passenger compartment from outside the vehicle, unnecessary forward warning sound (D sound) is not heard by the driver in the passenger compartment. Thus, the driver will not be uncomfortable with the forward warning sound.

  (2) The start intention detecting means is means for detecting whether or not the vehicle is less than a predetermined vehicle speed indicating a stop and is in a travelable state, and the travel state detecting means is a means for detecting whether or not the vehicle is at a predetermined vehicle speed or higher. It is. The previous start warning sound is meaningless even when it is running, but it is uncomfortable for the driver to output the warning sound all the time while the vehicle is stopped. On the other hand, when the vehicle is stopped and in a travelable state, it is the time when the vehicle is about to start, and it is possible to detect a short time from the start of start to the start of start. S sound can be emitted for an appropriate short time at the timing.

1 Speaker outside the vehicle (source for alarm outside the vehicle)
11 Car interior speakers (car interior alarm sound source)
12 Alarm sound controller
13 Range sensor
14 Vehicle speed sensor
15 Brake switch
16 Mute switch
17 Sound increase switch
18 Ignition switch
19 Obstacle approach distance sensor

Claims (2)

A start intention detecting means for detecting a driver's start intention;
Traveling state detecting means for detecting whether or not traveling,
When the start intention is detected by the start intention detection means and when the travel state detection means does not detect that the vehicle is running, a pre-start warning sound having a predetermined frequency at which sound is likely to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle compartment is emitted, An alarm sound generating device for a vehicle that emits a forward alarm sound having a frequency higher than the predetermined frequency when the traveling state detecting means detects that the vehicle is traveling. The vehicle alarm sound generating device according to claim 1,
The start intention detection means is means for detecting whether the vehicle is less than a predetermined vehicle speed indicating a stop and is in a travelable state,
The vehicle alarm sound generating device, wherein the running state detecting means is means for detecting whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined vehicle speed.

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